Sarah Molenaar has built a teaching career that blends tradition with innovation. Based in Ottawa, she balances a thriving studio, published resources, and a passion for helping both students and teachers succeed. In this episode, Sarah shares her top piano apps, from Note Rush to ForScore, and explains how technology, games, and organization strategies can transform lessons into engaging, effective experiences for every age.
Sarah Molenaar is a pianist, teacher, and author. She has performed solo recitals, released several albums—including Hommage à Chopin, Undercurrents, and Carols and Classics—and participated in masterclasses by internationally recognized pianists. Holding advanced performance diplomas and a Bachelor of Music degree, Sarah is a certified teacher recognized for her students’ successes in competitions and exams, as well as her own awards for teaching excellence. She is the author of The Advanced Piano Technique Book (2023), with companion volumes in progress, and has also created arrangements for piano four-hands, including You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.
Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.
Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.
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